Assigfoe of one-half



P. BOWDEN.

(No Model.)

GRAPPLB.

I Patented Apr. 8, 1884 6 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK BOWDEN, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ARTHUR P. BROWN OF SAME PLACE.

GRAPPLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 296,666, dated April 8, 1884.

Application filed February 29, 1884. (No model.)

To on whom; it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK Bowman, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grapples, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in grapples for lifting barrels, boxes, and bags or other flexible packages.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an isometric View of abarrel with my invention upon it; Fig. 2, an isometric View of the grapple; Fig. 3, a view of the handle and section of the band; Fig. 4, a View of the loops used to confine the bands and a section of the latter.

My improved grapple consists of two loops or bands, B B, of metal or other suitable material, so attached one to the other that upon lifting the handles 0 G thebands tend to close upon each other in a vertical position, and thus press upon and hold any article placed within them. These bands or loops may be united by means of the staples D D, Figs. 2 and 4, or they may be riveted or screwed to-' gether, care being taken thatit is done in such a manner that they may turn freely. p The operation of my invention is as follows: The bands are placed about the article to be lifted, and the handles being raised the bands assume the position shownin Fig. 1, and press upon the sides of the package, and thus hold it firmly, the pressure being proportionate to the weight of the package.

For some purposes points 6, Fig. 2, may be advantageously used to insure afirm hold; but in most instances the friction exerted by the edges of the bands will be sufficient.

It is evident that there can be many modifications of my invention without departing from the original idea. The part below the dotted line X X in Fig. 1 may be dispensed with, and only two sections of a circle used, these being united in any desired manner, so

tage.

that they may turn freely. In such a modification the points 0 could be used with advan- /Vhen the bands used are loops, the action will be the same whether they are united or not; but it only half loops or sections are used,'they mustbe joined at or near their ends in such a manner as to allow them to turn freely.

It is evident that the bands may be of any 1. A grapple consisting of two bands or loops provided with handles, and arranged to surround and clasp a package upon being raised by said handle, as and for the purpose specified.

2. A grapple consisting of two bands or loops provided with handles, the inner surfaces of said loops having points or projec tions, and arranged to surround and clasp a package upon being raised by such handles, as and for the purpose specified.

3. A grapple consisting of two bands or loops, connected to each other by staples, and provided with handles, and arranged to sur round and clasp a package upon being raised by said handles, as and for the purpose specified.

4. A grapple consisting of two bands or loops, connected to each other by staples, the inner surfaces of said bands having points or projections, and being provided with handles, and arranged to surround and clasp a package upon being raised by such handles, as and for the purpose specified.

FRANK BOWDEN.

W'itnesses:

ALBERT M. MOORE, E. W. THOMPSON. 

